News & Prayer Items

Kent and Becky Good joyfully communicated this morning that they made a downpayment toward the purchase of the Battambang Ministry Training Center. Praise God. He does all things well.The landlady accepted their offer which, while fair, was well below the asking price.

"The wife of our Cambodian director (and star negotiator) said that when she heard what we could offer, she knew it was hopeless... unless God made it happen. The village leader expressed amazement at the "impossibly low price." We praise God for our colleagues, Kevin and Jill Kane, who encouraged us to walk by faith rather than buckle and make this happen by human effort.

"Before morning's end, the paperwork was already started to transfer the title. We should officially be owners within the next two months. Please continue praying with us as we plan for renovations and try to raise more funds to complete what God has so obviously started.

"Please pray especially for the spiritual impact of this decision on the landlady, her family, the neighbors of our center and our own
Cambodian/American team. At this Thanksgiving, we are thanking God for a clear response to many prayers and for so many great partners who stand with us in interceding for the needs of Cambodia."

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A woman came to the clinic this month asking for prayer for her brother named Marwan. He had been hurt when a bomb exploded that killed his wife, daughter and left him with only one eye. Pray that Marwan would be receptive to a visit from our manager as he recovers at home.

Praise the Lord that the license has been granted for the mobile clinic van. Pray that it would be used effectively in reaching more people with the Gospel and physical help in Jesus' name.

There is much in the news that would cause us to remember to pray for our ministry in Iraq. The believers in Iraq are praying also for the situation in Syria and Egypt. Pray that those that are displaced from Syria would find help and the Good News of abundant life in Jesus.

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Pastor Mboi Andre, former president of the Union of Grace Brethren Churches in the Central African Republic was admitted to the hospital last Sunday with malaria and high blood pressure.  He was told to come to Bangui for further medical testing.  He now awaits the results of some tests to see if he is having problems with his heart.  Please pray for Mboi and the doctors in Bangui. Continue...

Jesus Munoz reports the Marietta GBC in Georgia is home-base for a new ethnic ministry among Kenyans. Dr. Jackson Kariuki Edwards will be using the Marietta church facilities to start a new church reaching out to second and third generation Kenyans. Dr. Jackson, as a native Kenyan, sees the need to reach those that do not fit among either the first generation Kenyans, nor those in the mainstream Anglo churches.

Second generations of ethnics are groups that know their parents’ language but whose first language is English. They have adopted both American culture and the culture of their parents, and therefore are not typical Americans nor do they fit in a typical first generation group. Because of this they need to be reached in a different way. Continue...

A new Hispanic Church plant in Marietta, Georgia is praising God for the opportunity to reach the lost and spiritually sensitive in the community. Each week, church planter, Jose Marquez, gathers with 15 people at his house for fellowship and time in the Word. Through Jose’s efforts, many people are hearing the good news of the Gospel for the first time in the Marietta area. Continue...

On November 2nd, Iglesia La Esperanza in Valrico, FL had its grand opening service celebrating their new building facilities. God blessed all in attendance and the local church with the dedication service. Pastor Javier Forero and Jesus Munoz gave words to the congregation saying, “We would like to thank all of you for your prayers, offerings and your work on this building to make this day a dream come true, to God be the glory”. The day will be a memorable one through generations to see new believers worshiping the Lord Jesus Christ at Iglesia La Esperanza.

A couple days later after the Sunday service, a baptismal service was held where 15 people were baptized. Many testimonies were shared praising God for spiritual growth.

Of those being baptized, Humberto Briones, Jr. gave his testimony of faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ saying, “Coming to this Church and accepting Jesus as my Savior has changed my life and my family’s lives.”

As of November 4, more than 700 people had made a profession of faith since the church started 7 years ago.

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A note from Mike Taylor relays the news that Pastor Andre is quite sick and is getting a medical work up in Bangui right now.
He is so weak he is unable to drive himself.

Pray that he will be able to see quality physicians in a timely fashion and a diagnosis would soon be reached.

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Yesterday was the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Following is a vivid illustration of the need for those prayers.

J and A in Central Asia (names withheld for security reasons) shared the following:

"Jill (not her real name) has many reasons NOT to be a Christian. When she finally revealed her faith in Christ to her parents she was alternately ostracized and threatened to be killed, then eventually forced to remain at home, dress as a M. memorize the Kor. and recite prayers in Arabic. Mercifully, her parents later married her to a man who was just fine with Jill being a Christian.

"Though she was now living in a separate city with her husband, her father continued to call her almost daily and demand an account of her spiritual activity (i.e. Bible reading, praying with other Christians, etc.).

"Not long ago, her husband was arrested for drug possession and drug dealing. Even her sister, who has been living with her, burned all her Christian books. Left without protection, Jill is vulnerable to her father's threats. Amid all of this, Jill said to me, "Where else can I go? In Jesus I find love, grace, and forgiveness. There is no grace anywhere else. I only want Jesus!" And she shared how desperately she wants to love her father with Jesus' love, how much her father is terrified of God and has no knowledge of grace. God's Spirit is so alive in her. We have been so encouraged by her faith!

"Naomi (not her real name), like Jill at first, hid her faith in Christ out of fear of persecution from her family. But in contrast to Jill, it has been ten years, and she has only told a handful of people (all believers) that she is a Christian, and she has been too afraid to have a Bible or a Christian book of any kind in her house.

"A year ago, her 10-year old nephew, who was living with her, hung himself while she was at work. Naomi slipped into a deep depression. She was unable to pray or read Scripture at all. A few months ago, she began hearing a demonic voice suggesting she kill her three children and herself. Twice she tried to take her own life and was spared.

"Two weeks ago, she divorced her husband. In her despair, Naomi has decided that the best course of action for her is to bury her previous life as a believer and take care of her problems on her own. She told me that she has too much darkness and too many sins to burden anyone else with. She is tormented night and day by horrible dreams and is clearly experiencing spiritual oppression, yet she is unwilling to call on the name of Jesus and be set free. When I share verses from Scripture with her, she responds, "That has no meaning for me."

"My heart and prayer for her is that one day she can experience the freedom and joy -- in trials -- that Jill has in choosing Jesus. God is merciful and strong, and will not let anyone be snatched from his hand. Join me in praying Psalm 35:1-3 for Naomi:

"Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid...say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'

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Close to half a million persons have been affected by flooding in Chad, primarily in regions of central and southern Chad, but also in other areas to the east and west. Though the northern half of Chad is part of the Sahara desert, within that area are flooded regions also. 94,000 homes have been destroyed. The water has overflowed the rivers and mixed with the water from the wells, so that thousands of evacuees have no safe drinking water.

The people of Chad are facing a food crisis, with 3.6 million people being affected by destroyed crops and fields. This will create shortages of necessary food supplies for the coming year. In addition, swarms of locusts are breeding in the north of Mali and Niger, which could endanger the livelihoods of up to 50 million people in the region.

Flood-affected residents need items such as cooking kits, blankets, mosquito nets and emergency shelter materials, as well as sensitisation about cholera and malaria

Relief funds are greatly needed.

Give a gift of any size for emergency relief.

• Pray for wisdom as plans are made for replanting crops this month if the rains stop and water recedes.
• Pray for discovery of practical ways to purify drinking water.
• Pray that God would give encouragement to those suffering.
• Pray believers would reach out beyond their own congregations to those who don't know Christ so that God would be seen through His children.

 

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Mark Sims heads back to Bangui, CAR this week for 2 1/2 weeks of teaching in the Seminary, and preaching, from November 9-24th. He has also been invited to speak at the national pastors conference.

Please pray for ongoing recruitment for the doctoral program which needs to have eight students as they begin.

Please pray for the necessary American accreditation for the program.

 

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